Thou Shall Not Allow a Witch to Live

by Laura Jo DeMordaunt

Overview

Poor crop yields, epidemics, war's desolation, natural disasters, and festering jealousies-these were the cataclysmic tensions and ill omens to a pious Puritan priesthood of God's displeasure and punishment to their "city on the hill" and their wavering, fl agging parishioners. God had deserted the Puritans, leaving fear of the devil and witches amiss in the New England villages. The strict Reformed Puritans were very intolerant, not only of witches, but also of any deviation from their Puritan orthodoxy and civic order. Bridget Bishop was a rebellious outsider who deviated from the Puritan standards for women. She was constantly under suspicion 'cause of her strong will, flamboyant life style, and outspoken tongue. Her livelihood as ordinary keeper and her thrice marriages brought criticism and scorn from her Puritan neighbors and the Puritan clergy. Cotton Mather's June 1662 document advised and urged the Court of Oyer and Terminer to speedily and vigorously prosecute "such as have rendered themselves obnoxious." Bridget Bishop was not the first to be accused and arrested, but she was the first to be prosecuted 'cause her lifestyle met the criteria of "very obnoxious."

Product Details

BN ID:	2940148858836
Publisher:	SDP Publishing Solutions, LLC
Publication date:	09/30/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	254
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Laura Jo DeMordaunt has been a lifelong student of the
history of New England. With ancestors arriving on the
Mayflower, others in 1626 and thereafter, a good portion of her
lifetime has been spent researching and writing histories of their
struggles and triumphs in the New World, specifically Salem,
Massachusetts. Her ancestor, Bridget Bishop, has been a 35-year
research project. The vaults of many of New England’s museums,
public offices, libraries, and genealogical societies have become
her friends.
After encouraging her six sons and one daughter to achieve
advanced degrees, Mrs. DeMordaunt returned to college at the
age of 57 and graduated from Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho
with a Bachelor of Science degree, emphasis in Education. She
loves to serve in her church, flower garden, travel, and spend time
on the family cattle ranch she shares with her husband, Roger.
She is very proud of her 27 grandchildren. Roger and Laura Jo
have just celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.